Projects

The EDTEA CARE Project is aimed at two major focus areas. One is to involve schools in the Eco Schools Program and the other is to build capacity and develop skills among teachers, especially when it comes to dealing with environmental issues.

Twinstreams has a very dedicated, capable team of Field Officers who have proved themselves to be more than up to the task of rolling out the Eco-schools program to twelve schools. In addition to this the first phase of the teacher training and capacity building program was successfully initiated with educators attending the SAQA accredited Environmental Educators Course held at Twinstreams during the first week of July 2012 and 2013. The Eco-schools program runs according to the calendar year followed by schools throughout South Africa so reporting for this project will- by force of circumstance- have to coincide with this pattern.

It is heartening to know that the EDTEA project has delivered solid results and learners, teachers, community members, schools and the environment are all benefiting hugely from the Eco-schools project as each of the twelve schools continue to roll out their chosen Eco-schools themes. Teachers have received top quality, SAQA accredited training and their capacity to understand and address global environmental issues has increased substantially. A great deal of work has been done by educators and learners as they have tackled their Eco-schools projects and compiled their portfolios in just seven short months from May to December. Amidst their busy school schedules teachers have made time to fit in workshops; assist eager Eco-school committee members and build their own capacity to come to grips with global environmental issues. All involved in the project look forward to continuing to run the project now and in the future as the schools forge forth with their projects in order to attain ever better Eco-school statuses. WESSA- as implementing agent- will continue to provide guidance and assistance both on site at the individual schools and through a series of workshops and excursions. The value of this project is inestimable as it spreads throughout entire communities as learners and educators take the lessons learned through exposure to this project home with them and our South African environment is given the respect to which it is entitled.

ECO-SCHOOLS
This is a curriculum-based program offering participating schools opportunities to:
 Improve the school environment;
 Build young people’s confidence and sense of citizenship through participation;
 Increase environmental awareness;
 Involve the local community;
 Reduce litter and waste;
 Reduce costs by saving water and energy;
 Gain local publicity;
 Develop relationships with other schools.